Letters to the editor: Issue of Nov. 14, 2014

Stop speed limit increase

If you haven’t noticed the speed limit has increased in two sections of Pomerado Road, and could be raised soon in others, from 35 mph to 40 mph near Rancho Bernardo Road (in front of a church) and from 45 mph to 50 mph where Grandee Road crosses Pomerado Road (entrance to an elementary school). Keep in mind there are school bus stops, bicyclists and pedestrians, and multiple cross streets without streetlights.

Your opinion matters. The speed limit could be reduced back to the original limits. The planning board will hear community input on this topic at their next meeting on November 21 at 7 p.m. at the RB Swim & Tennis Club. Please attend and be heard. If you cannot make the meeting, please send your comments to the Traffic Committee Chair Robin Kaufman at Rbns1Nest@aol.com.

Steve Reyno,

Progress marches on

It’s not often Dick Lyles gets something right, but he sure proved his point this time (“A problem larger than the Obamacare tragedy” (Oct. 31).

Lyles uses his rant on the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and the election of President Obama to illustrate just how ignorant the American electorate really is. He trots out all the Republican talking points, and in the process conclusively proves that a significant portion of voters are bewildered and delusional. Our right-wing fringe is flapping so far out in the breeze it’s wrapped halfway round the flagpole.

Lyles fails to understand the fundamental reason why a comprehensive reform of our healthcare system is needed. He fails to understand how the ACA implements that reform. And he fails to understand the complexity of tackling such difficult problems.

Of course, out on the right-wing fringe it’s always difficult to tell whether failures are due to cognitive limitations or a willful refusal to deviate from the intellectual straitjacket of ideology. The rigidity of the right-wing mindset is so calcified and brittle that every innovation is threatening. But progress marches on regardless, Obamacare is the law of the land, and we’re going to make it work despite the mewling of unreconstructed relics.

Gerold Firl,

Thanks to volunteers

The sixth annual Once Upon a Hallowe’en in Old Poway Park on Sunday, Oct. 27 was a resounding success, thanks in no small part to its many supporters and volunteers. Upwards of 2,000 guests strolled through the park during the three-hour-long event, visiting the Haunted House, playing carnival games, riding the locomotive, listening to scary stories, watching zombies dance and exploring a replica of the Ectomobile from Ghostbusters! People’s Choice winners of the Carved Pumpkin Contest were Lynn Wolsey taking first place; Emily Gallego, second place; and Terry Hayes, third place.

We send a heartfelt thank you to the following individuals and organizations for their financial and physical support: Jeff Carr/Apache Canyon Gang, Boy Scouts of America Troop 608, Carlos Cerpa, Girl Scouts of America Troop 8269, Dave Grosch, Donna Hayes, Lynn Wolsey Designs, Miss Poway Court, Mt. Carmel High School Key Club, Poway Arts & Crafts Guild, Poway Historical & Memorial Society, Poway High School Key Club, Poway–Midland Railroad volunteers, Poway Real Estate Professionals, Poway Woman’s Club, Rick Salazar, Charles Johnson/San Diego Folk Heritage, Shadow River Regulators, the Pheil family, Thriller Dancers, Twin Peaks Middle School Builders Club, John Wismont, Alison Wolsey, Mark Zetler and the City of Poway staff and reserve park rangers. Without their participation, this event would not have been possible.

Lynn Wolsey,

U.S. is Christian

Once again the atheists and terrorists want to tear a cross down, this time it’s ground zero of the Twin Towers.

Our president said, “We are no longer a Christian nation.”

We are a Christian nation. We also are a nation of deep faith.

American Indians believed in God before we arrived on their soil, the Spanish conquistadors brought their religion with them to the new world, Europeans came to escape persecution in their religious beliefs as did the Jews.

You say our country is not founded on the belief in God? Then read up on George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and Abraham Lincoln, to name a few. We are an ocean that can not be dried up, our waves touch every shore around the world. Critics may win some battles with their attorneys to take away some of our symbols, but they are only part of us. Our faith is in our heart and soul and beyond that.

Communism did not destroy Christianity or the Jewish faith from their peoples’ souls, it only lay dormant. I pray for you who have so much hate and fear of religion, may you find peace.

Alice Arnold.